6 Of The Most Common Dental Problems, Fixed!

Smile! There’s good news from the world of dentistry: Older American are keeping their teeth longer than ever before and the average number of teeth people retain into old age is increasing, says Judith Ann Jones, DDS, a spokesman on elder care for the American Dental Association and director of The Center for Clinical Research at the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine.
But Jones is not all smiles. As people keep their teeth longer, there are more problems that are likely to arise, which is why keeping up with regular dental visits is so important. Here are the most common problems, and what you can do about them:

Tooth Decay

Yes, people over 50 can get cavities. You can get them on the surfaces of teeth that have never been a problem before, but you can also get them around old fillings or at the root of your tooth. “As you age, the root of your tooth becomes softer and sometimes more exposed,” Jones explains.
The Fix: Fluoride is not just for kids, Jones says. “Fluoride is one of the 10 most important health measures developed in the 20th century.” Almost 80 percent of people in the United States have fluorinated water, but if you don’t, you should probably add a daily fluoride rinse to your brushing habit. Or ask your doctor about a stronger fluoride prescription gel. If you are starting to get cavities, even if your water has fluoride, consider a fluoride rinse. Ask your dentist if that’s right for you.

Dry Mouth

Saliva protects us against tooth decay. But if you’re not producing it, your teeth may be at risk. The calcium and phosphate present in saliva prevent demineralization of your teeth, Jones says. How do you know if you have dry mouth? You’ll have a sticky feeling in your mouth, trouble swallowing, dry throat, and dry, cracked lips. You may notice a metallic taste in your mouth or persistent bad breath. You may or may not feel thirsty. Dry mouth is often caused by medications, and as people age, they take more medications. It can also result from smoking or from a blow to the head that somehow damages the salivary glands.
The Fix: If you have dry mouth, you should try to stimulate saliva production. Jones says some people just sip water all day while others find that chewing sugar-free xylitol candies or gum helps. Your dentist may prescribe a prescription saliva substitute or recommend over-the-counter formulations for you to try.

Gum Disease

If your gums are swollen, red, or bleed easily, you’ve got gingivitis, an early form of gum disease that can progress and be dangerous. Untreated gingivitis often becomes periodontitis, which is when the gum pulls away from the tooth and creates pockets which can become infected. If this condition develops and continues unchecked, it could cause the loss of bones in your jaw and eventually, the loss of the teeth themselves.
The Fix: The best fix for this condition is regular dentist visits, Jones says. You may need to visit your dentist more frequently so that your teeth can be cleaned and your gums treated for the condition. People who don’t have good access to dental care are more likely to have gum disease, Jones says.

Oral Cancer

More than 43,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancers this year, and more than 8,000 will die from it, according to The Oral Cancer Foundation. Oral cancer incidence definitely increases as you get older, Jones says, and is very often linked to smoking and heavy alcohol use. Recently, the number of cases has risen because doctors have discovered that the Human Papilloma Virus also can cause oral cancer.
The Fix: Only about half of people who develop oral cancer survive the disease, Jones says. The best hope for survival is to discover it at its earliest stages—in which case there is an 80 percent chance of surviving for five years. Your dental exam should include a check for oral cancer. Your dentist will hold your tongue and check the soft tissue in your mouth as well as your throat and jaw. If he or she does not, find another dentist, Jones says.

Tooth Crowding

Are you noticing that food is getting stuck in new places in your mouth? Or that the overlapping tooth that was cute in your teens now seems to be overlapping even more? You’re not imagining it. As you age, your teeth shift, according to Lee W. Graber, D.D.S., M.S., M.S., Ph.D., Past President of the American Association of Orthodontists. And that can be problematic, not because you’ll look different, but because it can make your teeth more difficult to clean, leading to more decay. It’s also of concern because misaligned teeth can lead to teeth erosion and damage to the supporting tissue and bone, Graber says. Add to that the tendency of older adults to have periodontal disease, and you could end up losing your teeth even faster.
The Fix: If your teeth have really shifted, you could see an orthodontist, who may fit you with a retainer, spacer, or even braces. This may not be necessary, but you should discuss with your dentist whether your teeth are shifting at your regular check up. If they are, it may mean only that you need to go to the dentist more regularly for more frequent cleanings.

Grinding and Clenching

This is not a habit that begins late in life, but it’s one whose effects might be most pronounced as you age. If you tend to grind your teeth or to clench them in your sleep, you may grind through the enamel to the dentin, which can cause pain and decay. Also, if you have crowns or bridges in your mouth, they may be damaged by such habits.
The Fix: Your dentist can give you a night guard, a small mouth piece that will protect your teeth while you sleep—and protect your investment in the dentistry that’s already there, Jones says.

By: Andrea  Atkins, The Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/6-of-the-most-common-dental-problems-fixed_us_58346501e4b099512f84b510

If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Omni Dental Group at one of our three office locations listed below:

North Austin on Hymeadow Drive: (512) 250-5012
Central Austin on Jollyville Road: (512) 346-8424
South Austin on William Cannon: (512) 445-5811

Sensitive Teeth

Teeth can become sensitive for many reasons. Sometimes, the sensitivity is an indication of a potentially serious problem. Other times, the dentally related problem may be small but the effects (the sensitivity) are extremely aggravating. 

What do we mean when we say "sensitive teeth?"
Twinges of pain or discomfort in our teeth in certain situations such as drinking or eating cold things, drinking or eating hot things, eating sweets, and touching the teeth with other teeth or the tongue. Your symptoms will involve reactions to temperature or pressure. Sensitivity to cold drinks or foods is the most common symptom. 

Two types of sensitivity:

1. Dentinal sensitivity
When the dentin (middle layer) of a tooth is exposed. Normally, dentin is covered by enamel. Dentin becomes exposed when the outer protective layers of enamel wear away. Dentin contains tiny openings called tubules. Inside each tubule lies a nerve branch that comes from the tooth's pulp (the nerve center of the tooth). When the dentin is exposed, cold or hot temperature or pressure can affect these nerve branches, causing sensitivity.

Causes:

• Inadvertent notching of the tooth surface and/or recession of the gum tissue (exposing the root surface of the tooth) caused by improper brushing: either brushing too hard, brushing with a toothbrush that is too hard, or using an improper brushing technique, which will wear away the enamel layer. This sensitivity can range from mild to extreme; the degree of sensitivity does not appear to be related to the size of the root exposure or notch.
• Poor oral hygiene, allowing tartar to build up at the gum line
• Untreated cavities
• An old filling with a crack or leak
• Receding gums that expose the tooth's roots, often caused by periodontal disease
• Gum surgery that exposes the tooth's roots
• Tooth whitening in people who have tooth roots that already are exposed
• Frequently eating acidic foods or drinking acidic liquids 
• Purposeful repositioning of the gum tissue during gum surgery can also lead to tooth sensitivity. While recession from brushing is slow, gum recession following gum repositioning occurs very quickly. The portion of the tooth once covered with gum and bone may now be exposed.  Root sensitivity in these instances can be quite severe and immediate. It can sometimes last four months or years if not treated.

2. Pulpal sensitivity
The reaction of the tooth's pulp. The pulp is a mass of blood vessels and nerves in the center of each tooth. Pulpal sensitivity affects only a single tooth.
Causes:

• Decay or infection. When a tooth is decayed, temperature changes and sweets will make it sensitive. The solution can be as simple as removing the decay and placing an appropriate restoration.
• A recent filling. A tooth may be sensitive to cold for several weeks after you get a filling. The metals in amalgam (silver) conduct the cold very well, transmitting it to the pulp. Bonded (tooth-colored) fillings require etching the tooth with acid before the filling is placed. In some cases, this etching removes enough enamel to make the tooth sensitive. If a filling is defective or failing, leakage around the filling may cause the tooth to become sensitive. The solution can be as simple as removing the defective filling and placing an appropriate restoration.
• Excessive pressure from clenching or grinding
• A cracked or broken tooth. If the tooth is fractured, you may be sensitive to temperature changes or when chewing food. This fracture condition may be hard to diagnose. If you think you might have this type of sensitivity, read our blog post on "cracked tooth syndrome."
• A tooth can become sensitive after it has been prepared (drilled) for a restoration (filling). You may have been anesthetized during the procedure, so you did not feel any discomfort when the nerve in the tooth reacted to the heat generated by the drill. The closer the drill comes to the nerve, the more likely it is to cause a sensitivity problem. The high-speed rotation of the bur in the drill generates heat, and the response of the nerve to heat is inflammation. This inflammation is felt by you as a "sensitivity."  If the decay, fracture, or drilling was not too deep, this sensitivity will decrease over time. A week to a month or two is not an unusual length of time for the sensitivity to disappear. A good sign is the continued decrease of sensitivity.  However, if the occlusion (bite) is off after the restoration has been placed, the tooth may either become sensitive or may stay sensitive. Once the bite is adjusted, though, the sensitivity should disappear.
• A dying nerve. This can be the result of a deep cavity. Commonly, the sensitive tooth holds an old large filling. The nerve may be damaged during drilling and the nerve has been dying gradually ever since. If this is the problem, the tooth will need endodontic treatment (root canal treatment).

See this post about the 10 biggest causes of tooth sensitivity.

How will the doctor diagnose sensitivity?
Your dentist will look at your dental history and will examine your mouth. You also will need x-rays to show if there is decay or a problem with the nerve. The dentist will ask about your oral habits. Grinding or clenching your teeth can contribute to sensitivity. Your dentist also will look for decay, deep fillings, and exposed root surfaces. During the consultation, your dentist uses an instrument called a spray gun to dispense air across every area of each tooth in order to locate the sensitivity. He or she may use an explorer - a metal instrument with a sharp point - to test teeth for sensitivity.
 
How will it be treated?

• Your dentist or dental hygienist will clean your teeth. If your teeth are too sensitive to be cleaned, your dentist may use a local anesthetic or nitrous oxide before the cleaning. 
• If there is a notch in the tooth or the shape of the defect is appropriate, the defect is restored (filled in) with a bonded material. This can give immediate relief -- sometimes partially, sometimes fully. 
• When there is no defect to be restored, the exposed and sensitive root surfaces are covered with a dentin-bonding or other material. This material is invisible and has very little thickness, so you do not notice any change in the appearance of the tooth; but it works. It may have to be reapplied after several months because the bonding material has worn away by tooth-brushing.
• If you have pulpal sensitivity and the tooth's nerve is damaged or dying, you will need a root canal. Your dentist will remove the nerve and place a non-reactive substance in the space where the nerve was. The tooth will no longer have a continuous barrier of enamel to protect it. Therefore, it will be restored with either a composite filling or a crown.
• Your dentist may apply a fluoride varnish to protect your teeth. This temporarily reduces sensitivity and strengthens your teeth.
• Using fluoride toothpastes and fluoride mouth rinses are home will help to reduce sensitivity. You can also buy toothpastes just for sensitive teeth. You should choose a fluoride mouth rinse that uses neutral sodium fluoride.

How can I prevent it?

• Brush twice a day and floss daily
•  Use a soft or ultrasoft toothbrush 
• Brush gently up and down, rather than side to side 
• Use a fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse 
• Use a toothpaste that protects against sensitivity 
• Get treatment for grinding or clenching your teeth (bruxism), like a mouthguard

If you have any questions about tooth sensitivity, please feel free to call our office for a consultation at (512) 250 - 5012.